The Myth of a Single Asia

First of three-part series on the use and abuse of the word “Asia”

Philip Bowring, Asia Sentinel’s co-founder and consulting editor, recently redefined maritime Austronesia into its own distinct region, known as Nusantaria, in his prize-winning book, Empire of the Winds. Now he takes on a bigger task. In a three-part series, he looks at the use and abuse of the word “Asia,” its origins, history and why it means differe…